Not only does Timothy Kelly try to better his students in the classroom, but he also tries to make them a better version of themselves. Kelly shared, “I’ve always had a deep respect for the impact that educators and coaches have on their communities.” Growing up, Kelly had many relatives who were in the education field. For Kelly, it was a no-brainer to become a teacher.
Kelly strives to help students grow both in the classroom and out. Kelly stated, “I try to find and make lessons that are discussion-based where students have to experience the content before we solidify the notes.” Kelly provides not only a source of learning for his students but also provides a welcoming environment. Kelly claims, “Back in the old days, when I was in school, I found many of my classes boring, and the teacher disengaged with the students.” Because of this, Kelly tries to stay engaged and in touch with his students. Kelly reviewed how he plans his lessons to keep his students engaged: “I like to connect lessons to the real world. I try to find and make lessons that are discussion-based where students have to experience the content before we solidify the notes.” Kelly prepares his students for their future and an understanding of what the quality of work should look like to succeed. Kelly is liked by many of his students because of the welcoming environment and good learning they experience in his class.
One student who likes Kelly as a teacher is Calvin McGuire. McGuire stated, “Mr. Kelly is super passionate about math, and it shows in how he teaches. He always ensures everyone understands the material and takes the time to help if you’re struggling.” McGuire added that Kelly gets his teaching aspirations from his love and passion for math. For Kelly, it is easy to spend a lot of extra time to provide a better understanding of the material for students because he has so much passion for teaching and math. When asked about Kelly’s teaching style, McGuire stated, “He connects math to real-life situations, so it doesn’t feel like we’re just solving problems for no reason. Plus, he’s really patient and explains things in a way that makes sense.” Kelly helps people not only in the classroom but also outside of the classroom. While discussing how Kelly inspires his students, McGuire claimed, “Definitely. He’s not just a teacher, he genuinely cares about us doing well in life, not just in math. It’s made me want to work harder.”
Kelly has already made a big impact on McGuire and many other students not only in the classroom but also outside of the classroom. Stemming from his childhood, Kelly has always wanted to make an impact on the younger generation. Kelly chose to go down the educational path; not only has he made the younger generation smarter and more creative, but he also helped them prepare for their future and prepare them for life.